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April 17, 2013

The Day My Ugly Turned Interesting

You'll notice I didn't title my post The Day My Ugly Turned Pretty. This isn't about pretty... at this point though, interesting will suffice.

We all have them, I think. The frustrating spots in our gardens that just don't ever look the way we envision them looking. I plant with the expectation that this new plant will be the plant that will finally adapt to the treacherous spot I scathingly refer to as the cemetery. Nothing thrives here for various reasons ... too shady then a long, scorching blast of late day sun, too dry, too near the fence where our dog likes to gossip with the wildlife {read trample whatever is planted} ... yada yada.

But oh, how my recent trip to Warrenton, Texas, changed all that. Antique Weekend happens not too far from Austin ... half way between here and Houston off Hwy 290. Twice a year treasure seekers scour hundreds of booths searching for the perfect finds.

At the booth of a favorite vendor who is sadly retiring from the show, I discovered this most fascinating of treasures. A mask of some sort that makes the most ugly of cemetery corners into the most interesting of corners.

He sits atop an antique ladder, also found in Warrenton. Together the two pieces give the height, texture, color and interest I've been searching for. And the best part was that it wasn't a planned experience ... completely serendipitous! The ladder was meant for another purpose and the mask, well, the mask was a total impulse buy. I knew I'd find a place for him in my garden.

He now sits gazing across the garden adding tons of personality and character. He is seen from the kitchen window giving me a whimsical, half grin looking somewhat like he knows my secret. The secret of how a chance encounter at an antique booth far, far away turned my ugly into awesome.

Wow, it really brings a certain intrigue to your garden. There are certain areas in my garden that have taken me several years to figured out the right purpose. Sometimes things just fall into place when the time is right. Love that this guy spoke to you and found a place in your garden.

He definitely adds some personality to that spot! I have a few of those spots in my garden, and I've put off purchasing garden decorations lately with college expenses for the kids. But I have some fun ideas in mind, so I hope to add a few whimsical touches soon. Enjoy your new find!

Love the mask! I've never seen anything like it, but it has such personality. You just can't help but smile when you look into his immortal eyes. By the way - did you try on the mask? I think I would have just had to!

Oh, you know I've thought about it, Holley! It's too small for my head but funny story ... the vendor said that another woman had just been considering the purchase but decided against it for fear her kids would be wearing it all the time! My gain!!

Love faces in the garden. I'm always on the lookout for interesting ones to tuck in among plants here and there as if they were rocks. I like ones on the order of your guy - intriguing expression! Also love old ladders and shutters in the garden, so your post this morning is a treat. I planted ox eye daisies smack under my ladder, which I also put in the "impossible" spot. It supports their long stems in the wind and the blooms peeking out through steps and sides are interesting. Great Warrenton find!

The ladder was a coup as well! I was looking for a smaller ladder but this one is perfect. It has ropes instead of braces for supports. Something I've never seen before. I've planted a passion vine nearby and I'm hoping it will crawl up the ladder and give it some flower power!

I love it. And those insulators on the fence, fabulous. Sometimes you just need one thing to make the whole thing work. I have a bunch of insulators I keep trotting around the loft wishing for a spot. Now I am going to look outside in the loft garden. Hoping the neighbors will be respectful of my treasures.

Have been reading but not much time for writing these days. Hope your days are a little lighter, although there will always be a whole. Take care.

I'm a garden junk fanatic. I can never have enough. My one criteria: it has to make me smile. But, that doesn't mean it has to be funny looking, although I'm a sucker for goofy animal faces. Sometimes the stuff that makes me smile is just the memory of the day I bought it.